site.btaDeputy Transport Minister Nanov: Japan Is Important Partner in East Asia

Japan is a significant partner for Bulgaria in East Asia, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Lyuben Nanov said at a bilateral business forum here on Wednesday. He expressed confidence that there is potential and prospects for deepening and developing the bilateral ties and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The forum focused on infrastructure, energy and digitalization, and was organized by the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The business meeting was held within the framework of a two-day visit of Akiyoshi Kato, Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, with a delegation of about 50 representatives of Japanese companies. The main purpose of the visit, which began on June 24, is to explore investment opportunities and expand bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors.

On behalf of Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjhov and on his own behalf, Nanov acquainted the participants in the Bulgarian-Japanese business forum with Bulgaria's national transport policy, pointing out that its aim is to ensure satisfaction of the needs of consumers and sustainable development of the transport sector in accordance with the principles of security, safety, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Many of the concrete initiatives Bulgaria is taking are related to the promotion and development of environmentally friendly modes of transport, the Deputy Minister said.

He noted that among Bulgaria's strategic priorities is the development of modern, environmentally friendly and comfortable rail transport, and highlighted the Ministry's efforts in rail transport, which are aimed at digitalization in the sector, the purchase of new rolling stock with high environmental performance, as well as the implementation of safety and security systems. These are also areas in which Japan is a global leader, which opens significant opportunities for exchange of experience, Nanov added.

He noted that the Government's ambition is to turn rail transport into the backbone of the transport system, into the preferred mode of travel for citizens and added that for this purpose, thanks to the support of EU funds, the country is investing significant resources in new generation rolling stock, trains with zero emissions.

He also said that as of February 2024, a contract for the delivery of 9 electric shunting locomotives worth over BGN 12 million is being executed, and as of September 2024, a contract for the delivery of 25 zero-emission electric locomotives with a capacity of no less than 290 seats worth approximately BGN 640 million is being executed. The rolling stock will be delivered by the end of August 2026. The largest contract so far was signed in April 2025 and is for the delivery of 35 new zero-emission electric railcars with a capacity of up to 350 seats; it is worth more than BGN 1 billion.

He also referred to reforms related to strengthening competition in the rail passenger market and boosting the use of public transport in the country, noting that a public consultation on the conditions for the award of rail passenger services was launched on June 2 and new contracts are expected to be signed by the end of this year.

Nanov also spoke about the measures taken to speed up the ongoing maintenance and modernisation of the railway infrastructure, the completion of which will increase speeds in sections and reduce travel times. This would turn rail transport into a real alternative to bus transport, the Deputy Minister said.

He highlighted the Transport Ministry's drive to develop transport infrastructure facilities managed by the Ministry, including through public-private partnership mechanisms. The Ministry has also successfully used the concession model as a mechanism for implementing such partnerships, Nanov said. He recalled that with the help of the World Bank, work is underway to prepare a concession for the port of Varna. In his words, Bulgaria would be happy if Japanese companies showed interest in managing this facility.